Just wanted to let you guys/gals know about it.


NEWS RELEASE
WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE
600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, Washington 98501-1091
Internet Address: http://wdfw.wa.gov
June 14, 2004
Contact: Ray Berg, (360) 902-8395

Draft environmental impact statement on proposed
Skagit River steelhead facility available June 22

OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has published a draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) on a proposed steelhead acclimation and rearing facility on the lower Skagit River.

A public hearing is set for July 14 in Mount Vernon where WDFW will gather public input on the proposal to build a facility that will be used seasonally to acclimate up to 334,000 winter-run hatchery steelhead on the lower Skagit. The meeting will be from 6-8 p.m. in Hearing Room B of the Skagit County Administration Building, 700 South 2nd St. in Mount Vernon.

WDFW is considering two possible locations for the proposed steelhead acclimation and rearing facility. One site is on land owned by WDFW in the Birdsview area near Grandy Creek, and one is on land owned by Puget Sound Energy near the town of Concrete, about six miles upstream from the lower site.

Following requirements of the State Environmental Policy Act, interested citizens can provide comments on this proposed project by attending the public hearing, or by sending comments on the DEIS via mail or e-mail.

The DEIS will be available for review and download beginning June 22 on WDFW’s website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/hab/sepa/sepa.htm. Printed copies will be available for review at the Mount Vernon, Burlington, Sedro Woolley and Concrete libraries. CDs and a limited supply of bound copies are available by calling WDFW at (360) 902-2534. Written requests for a copy of the DEIS should be addressed to WDFW, Attention: SEPA Center, 600 Capitol Way N., Olympia, WA., 98501-1091, or via e-mail at habitatSEPA@dfw.wa.gov.

>> One site is on land owned by WDFW in the Birdsview area near Grandy Creek, and one is on land owned by Puget Sound Energy near the town of Concrete, about six miles upstream from the lower site. <<<

Not sure how I feel about this. Having an additional source for winter run fish to bonk is fine, IMO, so long as they don't mess up (ie: over-run) the wild fish that come in later.

My other concern is exactly where that site is near Concrete they are talking about. No way do I want a combat fishery happening in my backyard like happens on the Cascade every year.

Might get interesting. Thanks Homer for the heads-up.

BTW Homer: Should have the DB done by late July or early Aug. and ready for Oct. When we gonna go fishing?

Mike

i bet WT will try to stop it

Mike

Any time.